Abridged Biography of The Man, HON CHIEF CHARLES OBI OKEKE, JP.
(Odiuko- na-Mba, Orsu Clan)
According to the legendary novelist, William Shakespeare, “Some people are born great, some achieve greatness through hard work while others have greatness bestowed upon them “
For Hon Chief Charles Okeke, JP, he belongs to the second category of William Shakespeare’s great men who achieved success and greatness through dint of hard work and God’s Grace.
As we read through the lines below, we would be able to unveil the life of this new generation business icon whose uncommon entrepreneurial spirit has become legendary and a reference role model to our today’s aspiring youths.
Born into the family of Okechukwu Okeke Ohakwube and Lolo Eunice Ego Okeke (Oolo), all of blessed memories some many years ago, in Amankwo Ebenator, he attended Central School, Amaebu Ebenator for his FSLC in 1972.
His Secondary Education was at Community Secondary School, Awo-Idemili from 1973 through to 1977 and immediately got admitted to University of Ife, Ile-Ife, in 1978 as one of the pioneers JAMB Matriculants.
He graduated with Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) in 1982.
Chief Okeke observed the mandatory Youth Service Corp in Jos University Teaching Hospital, in 1983 as a Physiotherapist after which he gained employment at National Orthopaedic Hospital, in Dala Kano. He was there from 1984 to mid 1986, as Physiotherapist before joining his brother-in-law, and mentor, Chief K Nw Ikedum who had played a pivotal role in his educational career.
Chief Ikedum created a position for the then Mr Charles Okeke as Area Representative in His oil business, the KK Petroleum. It was while marketing Petroleum then that he met the then Executive Chairman of Nkwerre Local Government, Prince Dr EFNI Akano, but now His Royal Majesty Eze Dr EFNI Akano, Ezerioha, Durukparakatam of Isu Ancient Kingdom. The friendship that was contracted then has blossomed and flourished resulting in the exercise of today.
With the blessing of his Master, Chief Ikedum, Charles, in 1993, set up his own contracting firm, Tshally Enterprises whose initial interest was petty Government contracts and later delved into Manpower Development Services with special interests in the organisation of Seminars, Workshops and other forms of training for human capital building.
Charles Okeke’s business acumen and managerial skills saw the establishment of Tshabron Ltd that went into varied businesses. The Company is today a success story and by dint of hard work and God’s Grace, Chief Okeke has bid farewell to poverty.
As a prelude to his political journey, Chief Charles Obi Okeke, who was conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Odiuko-na-Mba by the Ebenator Royal Institution was appointed the Transition Committee Chairman of Orsu Local Government in 2014 by the then Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa. Thereafter, he won the keenly contested Council election and became the Executive Chairman of the same Local Government in 2015.
He served in that capacity until the expiration of the tenure in 2007, when he returned to Tshabron LTD where his magic wand transformed the Company into Tshabron Group with interests in Bulk Cement distributions and haulage with fleet of trailers.
In 2010, the Company Tshabron sought for and got appointed as MTN Franchise Partner and today, it has become a huge success story.
As a man of the future with a big heart, Chief Okeke, in 2015, contested for the Presidency of Owerri Chamber of Commerce and subsequently became a member of the National Executive Council. He is currently the National Chairman, IT/Telecommunications wing of National Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) which engineered the launching of Chamber’s prime project of Debit Card Project in conjunction with Unity Bank PLC and First Bank PLC.
- In the Cement business, Chief Okeke became the Chairman, BUA Cement distributors Association nationwide, a position he used to take BUA Cement into every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
- In the MTN Franchise business, Chief Okeke is the Mentor of MTN Connect Partners Pan Nigeria.
- In NACCIMA’s Presidency, he a member of the seven-man Think Tank formed to articulate policies.
- Chief Charles Okeke, who is a Justice of Peace (JP) believes in meaningful Association, hence his membership of Circle 78 Club, where he is currently the President.
He is equally:
- Vice Chairman of University of Ife Alumni Association, Imo State chapter;
- Secretary, Community of Friends;
He belongs to:
- The prestigious Owerri Club;
- Safari Recreation Club, Owerri;
- Orlu Recreation Club.
He also has time to mentor younger generations, hence he is a patron of Decent Friends Club, based in Owerri and a host of other youth based organisations.
It is worthy to note that Chief Okeke was conferred with the prestigious Orsu Clan Chieftaincy title of Odiuko-na-Mba ORSU by the Orsu Royals during his tenure as the Chairman of ORSU Local Government.
Chief Okeke is a devout Christian of the Catholic denomination and he belongs to several Church groups among which is the Catholic Men Organisation. In 2015, he was awarded the Best Husband, Holy Cross Catholic Parish, Aladinma Owerri.
He is a good family man and married to Lolo Onyinye Tshally-Okeke, who he fondly calls Mummy and together they are blessed with wonderful children.
I hereby present this great man to be presented the prestigious title of: